Publishing and Communicating Research

Admission requirements

A propedeutic exam of any Bachelor’s program.
Elective students: please contact the study advisor of your Bachelor’s program for informationon enrollment.

Description

This course focuses on scientific and scholarly communication patterns over the last few centuries, from 17th century print- to 21st century web-based publishing, and the different ‘publication cultures’ between scientific fields. We will zoom in on the politics and economics of journal publishing, and will explain why articles became the norm in many fields. The role of evaluation in carrying out and communicating research will also be discussed. Why did counting publications become so popular in assessing scientific work? How did large bibliographic databases play a role in this process? How is scientific activity on the web being tracked? We will not only focus on ‘traditional’ forms of output such as books and journal articles, but will also pay attention to the more recent move to the web (including debates about open access). Theoretically, students will learn to make connections between the rise of the information society in the second half of the 20th century and the coinciding emergence of particular forms of scientific governance.

Course objectives

The students will become familiar with the differences in scientific communication patterns and cultures between disciplines;

The students will develop a critical perspective on the role played by certain ways of communication, in the light of the availability of quantitative measures;

The students will develop a basic insight into the historical development of scientific communication and publishing, in the light of the developments described in Science as Culture: Introduction (code:6420SCI13)

Timetable

Lectures:
Tuesday September 1st – October 13th from 09.00 hours until 11.00 hours in room 1A11 in Pieter de la Court Building

Working group meetings:
Friday September 11th – October 16th from 09.00 hours until 11.00 hours in 1A11 in Pieter de la Court Building

Assessment method

To be announced

Blackboard

We will use blackboard as communication platform for lecture notes. assignments and announcements.

Reading list

Readings will be made available via Blackboard or through the Leiden University Library.

Registration

Registration is open from May 1st until August 15 2015. The course catalogue code is 6000MSCTSN, activity number 1322.
Please note that we can accommodate a maximum of 40 students. Admission is based on the students’ qualifications + a first come, first served basis.
Students from other universities will need permission to register.
Please send an e-mail to Inge van der Weijden at i.c.m.van.der.weijden@cwts.leidenuniv.nl
This also holds for Exchange and Study Abroad students. For more information please see the “Prospective students website”: http://www.prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/programmes/study-abroad/